Furloughs at Eglin, Hurlburt begin this week

Published: Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 12:43 PM.

Long anticipated and universally dreaded furloughs begin this week for civilians at local military bases.

About 5,300 people who work at Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field will be required to take 11 days of unpaid leave between Monday and the end of September.

Many who responded to a Daily News request for comments said the unpaid days will surely impact family incomes and likely the local economy.

“The furlough is not only going to hurt the employee, but the employees’ families and the local economy,” Mike Dunn wrote on the Daily News Facebook page. “Losing 20 to 30 percent of your check is a major hit to anybody‘s checkbook.”

Brig. Gen. David Harris, commander of Eglin’s 96th Test Wing, said he has “reiterated the commitment of the entire 96th Test Wing leadership team to our dedicated federal civil workforce affected by the decision to furlough.”

“Our entire Test Wing family must stand together through these very challenging times,” Harris said in an email statement.

The 11 furlough days are half the 22 originally scheduled in March when it was announced that severe cuts in military spending would result from a federally imposed sequestration.

The Department of Defense has estimated about 85 percent of its nearly 900,000 civilian employees around the world will be furloughed. The furloughs are expected to save the DOD about $1.8 billion.

Civilians who work in combat zones or as wounded warrior caregivers or full-time sexual assault prevention and response coordinators and victim advocates are exempt, according to the DOD. Also exempt are intelligence workers and workers at Navy shipyards.

Several people said the country’s elected leaders should have tightened their belts before forcing civilian military employees to take what amounts to a pay cut.

“Quite honestly, the cuts should start at the top, not the bottom,” wrote Nancy L. Phillips. “Lead by example, oh members of Congress. Where’s you’re pay cut?”

“After 20 years of service to this country … this is what we get. We get a pay cut,” commented Jennifer Kelly Phillipson. “How about cutting some (benefits) to Egypt or Pakistan or the study of male prostitutes in Vietnam or a bunch of other stupid programs.”

Phillipson suggested Congress should “let some military wives do your budget.”

“The government doesn’t seem to know how to live within their means,” she said.

Others questioned how President Barack Obama could take a “$100 million holiday” to Africa while sequestration was making such a huge impact on middle-class workers at home.

Others worried that furloughs imposed on emergency services units such as Eglin’s Fire Department could threaten the well-being of those in the department’s jurisdiction.

A sign had been posted Friday on the front door of Eglin’s Air Armament Museum stating it “will be closed on Mondays starting 8 July due to congressional furlough sequestration.”

About 1,600 Hurlburt Field employees will be required to take one unpaid day off a week during the furlough period, according to the 1st Special Operations Wing’s public affairs office.

Some Hurlburt units and programs will be disrupted, including family programs, research and development projects and military construction, the office said.

Commissaries at Hurlburt and Eglin will be closed an additional day each week. Eglin’s dining facilities face reduced hours and its bowling alley and library have been closed.

Long anticipated and universally dreaded furloughs begin this week for civilians at local military bases.

About 5,300 people who work at Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field will be required to take 11 days of unpaid leave between Monday and the end of September.

Many who responded to a Daily News request for comments said the unpaid days will surely impact family incomes and likely the local economy.

“The furlough is not only going to hurt the employee, but the employees’ families and the local economy,” Mike Dunn wrote on the Daily News Facebook page. “Losing 20 to 30 percent of your check is a major hit to anybody‘s checkbook.”

Brig. Gen. David Harris, commander of Eglin’s 96th Test Wing, said he has “reiterated the commitment of the entire 96th Test Wing leadership team to our dedicated federal civil workforce affected by the decision to furlough.”

“Our entire Test Wing family must stand together through these very challenging times,” Harris said in an email statement.

The 11 furlough days are half the 22 originally scheduled in March when it was announced that severe cuts in military spending would result from a federally imposed sequestration.

The Department of Defense has estimated about 85 percent of its nearly 900,000 civilian employees around the world will be furloughed. The furloughs are expected to save the DOD about $1.8 billion.

Civilians who work in combat zones or as wounded warrior caregivers or full-time sexual assault prevention and response coordinators and victim advocates are exempt, according to the DOD. Also exempt are intelligence workers and workers at Navy shipyards.

Several people said the country’s elected leaders should have tightened their belts before forcing civilian military employees to take what amounts to a pay cut.

“Quite honestly, the cuts should start at the top, not the bottom,” wrote Nancy L. Phillips. “Lead by example, oh members of Congress. Where’s you’re pay cut?”

“After 20 years of service to this country … this is what we get. We get a pay cut,” commented Jennifer Kelly Phillipson. “How about cutting some (benefits) to Egypt or Pakistan or the study of male prostitutes in Vietnam or a bunch of other stupid programs.”

Phillipson suggested Congress should “let some military wives do your budget.”

“The government doesn’t seem to know how to live within their means,” she said.

Others questioned how President Barack Obama could take a “$100 million holiday” to Africa while sequestration was making such a huge impact on middle-class workers at home.

Others worried that furloughs imposed on emergency services units such as Eglin’s Fire Department could threaten the well-being of those in the department’s jurisdiction.

A sign had been posted Friday on the front door of Eglin’s Air Armament Museum stating it “will be closed on Mondays starting 8 July due to congressional furlough sequestration.”

About 1,600 Hurlburt Field employees will be required to take one unpaid day off a week during the furlough period, according to the 1st Special Operations Wing’s public affairs office.

Some Hurlburt units and programs will be disrupted, including family programs, research and development projects and military construction, the office said.

Commissaries at Hurlburt and Eglin will be closed an additional day each week. Eglin’s dining facilities face reduced hours and its bowling alley and library have been closed.